Quitting a Job

Is one permitted to quit his job?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question!

Looking at Bava Metzia 77 it appears (at least it is the view of Rav) that one may quit one’s job at any time. Others qualify this, however, and rule that it is not permitted to quit one’s job if it is simply in order to accept a job with another employer.

The reason quitting is generally permitted is based on the verse “For the children of Israel are slaves to Me, they are My slaves,” which teaches us that we belong to no one but God. As such, it is permitted to quit a job in order to release ourselves from any other “servitude.” especially we can say that a job isn't considered servitude so it would definitely be permitted to leave, as long as it doesn't affect any previous agreements. 

Nevertheless, one must not quit a job if doing so would cause one’s employer a loss, such as if one is responsible for a current project that cannot be completed without one’s assistance. Indeed, one who quits under such circumstances might be required to pay for loss and costs to find a new employee to complete the project.

One who quits is only entitled to payment for the work he actually did. For example, if a worker was hired to mow a lawn for $100, and after mowing half the lawn he quits, he is only entitles to $50. But if a new worker can only be found for $80 to finish the mowing, then the one who quit gets only $20.

It is worth mentioning that one is required to give his employer his absolute best, as Yaakov said, “With all my might I worked for your father.” 

CM 333 and commentaries; Chochmat Shlomo, CM 333.